Starling Sturnus vulgaris

The Starling, Sturnus vulgaris, is a medium-sized, gregarious bird belonging to the family Sturnidae, and among the most familiar – if increasingly overlooked – birds in Britain. At close range, adults are far from drab: breeding plumage reveals a glossy, iridescent sheen of green and purple over black, the bill yellow and the spotting reduced, while winter birds are more heavily spotted with pale tips to the feathers. A gifted mimic, the Starling incorporates snatches of other species’ songs and environmental sounds into a rambling, chattering song of considerable variety. The species is perhaps best known for its spectacular winter murmurations – vast, swirling pre-roost flocks of thousands of birds that perform breathtaking aerial formations. Despite its apparent abundance, the Starling has declined dramatically as a breeding bird and is a Red List species. Image: © Neil Rolph, Flickr.

Find out more: RSPB, Suffolk Wildlife Trust, iNaturalist